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Wednesday October 4, 2006

Rat Bastard, circa 2002

Rat Bastard, 2002

Hey, cool, Rat Bastard has his own wikipedia page. Years ago, I was playing in a band, and Rat took us into his studio (the old one on Washington Ave) and recorded a pristine 4-song demo for some absurdly low amount of money (I think it might have been a hundred bucks). He did the same for probably thousands of bands, including Marilyn Manson, and has been a catalyst in bringing tons of notable bands to town, and organizing shows for local nights. Oh, and I also played with Rat’s Laundry Room Squelchers for a while.

I haven’t seen Rat in years, but then my attendance at Churchill’s has been pretty spotty. It looks like he’s doing fine; him and V, who took that last photo, are an item. And the Squelchers website has him touring with a bunch of boys (as ‘To Live and Shave in L.A.’) and a bunch of girls (as LRS) in 2006. Go Rat!

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  1. Tere    Wed Oct 4, 10:12 AM #  

    Holy fuck, you’ve transported me to a time when I would go to Churchill’s to see my ex’s band play. I’m pretty sure the ex filled me in on this guy. Wow.

    Eh. I don’t feel so good right now.



  2. Manola Blablablanik    Wed Oct 4, 11:37 AM #  

    What instrument did you play Alesh?



  3. alesh    Wed Oct 4, 02:08 PM #  

    whoa-ho! I’m not falling for that trick question!



  4. Manola Blablablanik    Wed Oct 4, 04:45 PM #  

    That wasn’t a trick question! Geeeeeeeez! :-)



  5. alesh    Thu Oct 5, 07:42 AM #  

    ok, ok. i started out playing drums, but the problem was that i can actually play drums. at some point i switched to saxophone and everyone was much happier, mainly me.



  6. Brook    Thu Oct 5, 01:39 PM #  

    Rat is definitly the un-sung hero in this town!!! To Live and Shave in LA just came out with a new album – Tom Smith and Rat – Both Rock!



  7. I was there    Fri Oct 6, 05:57 AM #  

    I’ve know Rat since the late 1980s and believe he will never win a Grammy, but he is definetly one on the MOST IMPORTANT musical figures in Miami.



  8. who doesn't know Rat?    Sun Oct 8, 07:55 PM #  

    He’s still making most miami bands get a fighting chance.. he’s a friend and a Miami music hero!



  9. V    Wed Oct 11, 11:30 AM #  

    :) thanks for the kind words…

    -v



  10. cohen    Mon Oct 16, 08:36 PM #  

    rat….....is



  11. jordan    Wed Oct 18, 01:44 PM #  

    Rat also wears a tie! (sometimes) But the beanie and black frames
    are his trademark attire. “White Noise” anyone? He’s definately NOT a bastard however.